Francis M. “Frank” Wielgopolan, 86, of Naplate, Illinois passed away Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 23 at St. Mary’s Church in Naplate with Rev. Tony Fevlo officiating. Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 22 at Ottawa Funeral Home & Crematory, with prayers at 3:45 p.m. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park with full military rites.
Frank was born September 16, 1929 in Naplate, to Stanley and Catherine (Siminski) Wielgopolan. He married Patricia Sheahan on July 27, 1957; she passed away on November 14, 2010.
Frank was a member and honorary member of the Naplate Fire Department. He retired from Pilkington after 42 years. He was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Naplate and the American Legion. Frank served in the United States Army second armored division during the Korean War and was stationed in Germany.
He is survived by three sons, Steven (Vicki), Michael, and Timothy (Eddie), all of Ottawa; one daughter, Patricia (Ray) Ortiz of Germantown Hills; twelve grandchildren, Dane, Nina, Brennan, Kylie, Luke, Alyssa, Chloe, Noah, Baylee, Harper, Greer, and Phoebe; five great grandchildren; one sister, Florence Dammann of Ottawa; and two brothers, Edward (Jane) and Ray (Lois) Wielgopolan.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a daughter-in-law, Kate; seven sisters, Anastasia Wielgopolan, Mary Malik, Helen Geiger, Sophie Micklos, Louise Washko, Henrietta Ohlendorf, and Josephine O’Berto; and two brothers, Stanley and Steven Wielgopolan.
Pallbearers will be his grandchildren.
Memorials may be directed to Naplate Fire Department.
Frank is laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.